Beichen Sword Sect's Headmaster's Secret Records

Chapter 441 Azure Clouds and Darkness
After a night of fierce fighting, as dawn broke, the former capital of Liang Kingdom had been razed to the ground by the battle between demonic blood and immortal light. The scene around them was exactly as described: the sky collapsed and the earth crumbled, and all the houses were leveled. The area around the Eastern King's residence was particularly devastated, with the surrounding thirteen miles reduced to dust.

Outside the city, the disaster was also severe, with tens of thousands of houses destroyed and thousands of people crushed. Rubble filled the sky and fell like bran and rice grains. Corpses fell like hail, and piles of zombies filled the air with a foul stench. Most of the dead were incomplete, with broken arms and legs, broken heads and missing noses. They lay scattered in the streets, indistinguishable from each other. Many human arms and legs had fallen, and the bones piled up like mountains.

Surrounded by mountains of corpses and teeming with wild ghosts, within the ruins of the royal palace, at the pivotal point of the earth's veins, stands a cauldron.

The cauldron was over nine feet tall, with three legs and two handles, its belly round like a crescent moon. It was dark blue-black like black iron, and when struck, it rang out like thunder. The belly of the cauldron was carved with four ferocious beasts: Taotie, Qiongqi, Taowu, and Hundun, all with angry eyes, fangs, and menacing scales.

Taotie dwells in the south, its head like an ox but without a body, its mouth holding a kui dragon pattern. Qiongqi guards the north, its shape like a tiger with wings, its claws grasping thunder and clouds. Taowu guards the east, its face like a human with tiger feet, its tail curled like a coiled dragon. Hundun sits in the west, its shape like a dog but blind, its belly containing a whirlpool. The beasts are separated by cloud and thunder patterns, supplemented by interwoven coiled dragon and kui dragon patterns. When viewed, one can only feel the flowing of eerie light, as if ghosts and gods are attached to them.

The tripod legs are decorated with cicada patterns, symbolizing endless life; the outer sides of the two handles are carved with snakes, their heads raised to the sky. The inner wall is cast with a black bird totem, and the corpses piled up beneath the tripod are used as firewood. At that time, the firelight gathered, the burning firewood rose smoke, and the four beasts seemed to leap out, reflecting the glow of the fire, making the viewer tremble and hold their breath.

The crimson blood inside the cauldron boiled, thick as ointment, and at times there were cries of ghosts and howls of gods, roars of dragons and howls of tigers, and at other times there were loud metallic clangs and thunderous booms. It was as if some living thing was trapped inside, struggling desperately for survival, hitting the giant cauldron with loud metallic clangs, shaking it from side to side, and splashing blood everywhere, but it could not overturn the cauldron or get away.

Then three more Taoist priests sat in a triangular formation around the cauldron, silently chanting and making hand seals, practicing the Samadhi of True Flame, continuously fanning the flames.

The Taoist priest who sat firmly in the center, appearing to be in his thirties, was dressed in white robes with a black cloak over them. He wore a lotus crown to bind his hair, had three long strands of beard, a thunder mark on his forehead, tiger eyes that shone like lightning, and a square jaw and high cheekbones. He was none other than Cang Bi, the hermit of Mount Emei.

The two young Taoist priests beside them, both around fifteen or sixteen years old, were dressed in white robes and black gowns, with lotus crowns on their heads, dressed exactly the same.

The man on the right had flowing black hair, a handsome face, and a dignified appearance, as beautiful as jade. The man on the left had graying temples, a sallow complexion, a cold and silent demeanor, and a somber appearance. Both men possessed a flowing aura of true energy, like clouds and mist protecting their bodies. Clearly, they had achieved superior Qi cultivation and were not beginners. They must have undergone years of true cultivation to maintain their youthful appearance and have their Qi gathered and settled in their elixir.

The handsome young Taoist priest looked up at the sky, his starry eyes shining brightly, his divine light radiating outwards. He saw that a hundred miles away, a vast expanse of Qi and flames gathered, and a sandstorm raged and surged into the sky. He couldn't help but turn his head and pay attention, calculating with his hands, his face showing worry.

"Senior Brother, it seems that Third Brother can't hold on any longer."

Cang Bi didn't even lift his eyelids, simply waved his whisk to increase the heat, and said calmly.

"That person was able to kill three of my Emei disciples, Chi Zhang, Qing Gui, and Bai Hu, so he must have some skill."

The boy asked,

"Why don't you, Cangming, lend a hand?"

Cangbi's voice remained flat and even, without any fluctuations.
"Canglong has his own unorthodox cultivation methods, so he won't be defeated so easily. We don't need to worry about him. Cangbai and Cangwu also came to the sect with their own skills, so their foundation is solid, and their abilities are only on par with that person."

Although this battle carries the risk of death, a gem must be polished to become a useful object. If they can witness the true abilities of the Xuanmen sect, it will be an opportunity for them to attain enlightenment.

As for the two of you, you've only just received the true teachings, your foundations are still shallow, and your cultivation is not yet refined. You can't even withstand one of his sword strikes, so don't needlessly throw your lives away. Cultivate for another five hundred years."

"Yes."

When his senior brother spoke, the handsome young man Cang Ming had no choice but to bow and obey.

As for the gloomy-faced youth, he remained silent and expressionless throughout, seemingly focused solely on the alchemy cauldron, or perhaps simply lost in thought.

The three of them remained silent, guarding the cauldron. Suddenly, a crisp cracking sound rang out, as if the fire was too intense, or as if the contents of the cauldron were resisting too fiercely, causing a crack to appear on the cauldron.

Cang Bi suddenly frowned, and did some calculations with his fingers.
"Replacement?"

Upon seeing the change, the two young Taoist priests suddenly stood up, each holding a sword, awaiting their senior brother's instructions.

Cang Bi thought for a moment, then spoke to comfort him.

"It's alright for now. I'll go and see who it is. You all guard the Chaos Cauldron. Although these Blood Demons can't escape, the item is still borrowed and we have to return it. We must not damage it."

The two bowed in unison, "Yes."

So Cangbi took a step forward, and golden light flashed across the ground, disappearing into the distance in the blink of an eye.

Seeing his senior brother leave in a flash, Cangming was filled with worry and paced back and forth.

"Cangyun, what do you think the Sword Sect is capable of? They couldn't even defeat the three senior brothers working together."

The young man with a sallow complexion and graying temples remained silent, sitting quietly and watching the fire, occasionally moving his fan.

Cang Ming knew his junior brother was the type who wouldn't budge an inch even after three blows, so he didn't expect him to answer. He just muttered to himself,
"I heard that although that person is a traitor to the Sword Sect, he forged a divine sword in the last Yuntai Grand Examination, which was appraised by the Five Elders and he was rated as a true disciple of the Xuanmen and a master of weapon forging. So, by that reckoning, he was actually a fellow student who entered the sect in the same year as us."

Besides, look at his incredible skills! Even with three senior brothers joining forces and setting up the Microcosmic Array, they couldn't defeat him; they even had to call on their eldest brother to clean up the mess. He's truly a role model for us all; a real man should be like this.”

The young man with a sallow complexion and graying temples ignored him; if it weren't for the occasional movement of his fan, he would have seemed to be asleep.

Cangming thought for a moment, then stamped his foot.

"No, this is a rare opportunity for a showdown between top experts. I finally have a chance to witness the best skills from outside the mountains. How can I let this opportunity slip by? I want to see what tricks that guy has up his sleeve! If I can gain even a fraction of his Dao insights, it will be worth it even if it means my death!"

So he turned around, darted to his junior brother's side, pulled a steamed bun from his pocket, and stuffed it into the yellow-faced boy's hand.
"Cangyun, one person is enough to guard the cauldron. Senior brother will go out for a stroll and come back before dark. If you're hungry, you can eat some steamed buns yourself."

The sallow-faced boy rolled his eyes at him.

Cang Ming chuckled, patted his shoulder, and leaped out of the giant pit in the ruins. He moved lightly and gracefully, riding the wind and clouds, like a crane leaping and dancing among the broken walls. In just a moment, he reached the outside of the city.

Of course, Cang Ming wouldn't dare disobey his senior brother's wishes, nor would he really abandon his junior brother, and he certainly didn't have the supernatural power to break into the Micro Dust Array and cause trouble. So he simply rushed to the outskirts of the city and found a spot close to the battlefield to watch the excitement.

Of course, ordinary people cannot fathom the intricate array of Emei. This is why Cangming, as a true disciple of Emei, knows the intricacies of his own array. Moreover, he is familiar with its changes from his daily visits to the mountain gate, which is why he can use his primordial spirit to enter the array and observe it.

Without further ado, the battle would be over soon. So Cang Ming quickly set up the formation and cast the spell. He dipped his finger in saliva and drew a talisman on his forehead, then slapped his forehead. His eyes flashed with starlight, shooting out two beams of silver light. He then took out a bronze mirror from his sleeve and shone it into the formation, reflecting the divine light onto the dust storm. With the help of the magical artifact, he observed the light and shadow within the formation.

However, the battle within the formation was in full swing, and before he could figure out what was going on, Cang Ming suddenly had a thought, abruptly withdrew his divine light, and looked back.

Two balls of emerald green lightning suddenly appeared from the horizon.

Cangming quickly calculated the situation and, knowing the gravity of the situation, bowed and said...

"Cangming, a man from Mount Emei, greets my two senior sisters." Upon seeing this, the two bolts of green lightning withdrew their lightning, revealing two graceful figures, one large and one small, who bowed to Cangming in greeting.

"Ji Chongguang of the Bixia Xuannv Temple greets Junior Brother."

"Jiang Youying from the Bixia Xuannv Temple greets her senior brother."

The moon's essence is called Youying, and the sun's radiance is called Chongguang.

Senior Sister Ji Chongguang was petite, like a peach blossom in spring. Although she was still young, she possessed a unique and radiant aura, exuding a captivating and heroic spirit. She was also exceptionally beautiful, with red lips and white teeth, bright eyes like the sun, a cinnabar mole between her brows, and long hair braided into a scorpion tail with gold threads, adorned with nine golden bells that swayed and shimmered. She wore a red silk dress decorated with flowing cloud patterns, and a red cloud-patterned shawl draped over her shoulders.

A seven-treasure glass pot hangs at his waist, its body inlaid with a sun-essence red fire pearl. It is clearly a supreme treasure formed from the essence of the sun, shining brightly and dazzlingly. When he walks, sits, or lies down, the true energy of the sun flows around him to protect him and aid in his cultivation and practice.

Junior Sister Jiang Youying was voluptuous, like an autumn moon, with snow-white hair and a jade-like face. She wore a snow-white, wide-sleeved, flowing fairy dress that accentuated her exquisite figure. The skirt was embroidered with silver thread in the shape of stars, and on her snow-white ankles, she wore silver moon-shaped rings that scattered like stars as she walked, as if she were treading on wind and waves, or as if the Milky Way were pouring down, or as if the Jade Rabbit of the Moon Palace were descending from the clouds.

In his hand was a jade bottle, from which the pure Yin Qi rose, a gentle breeze blew, and the breath of Dao was faint. It was clear that it contained some kind of fairy wine from the Jade Pool or the true dew of the Moon Pool. With each breath, the true Yin essence would cleanse the heart of worldly desires and greatly enhance the power of refining and tempering Qi.

Upon seeing their opulent appearance and the ostentatious display of their valuable treasures, Cang Ming knew perfectly well that these two must be true disciples of the Xuan Nu Temple of the Xuanmen Ancestral Temple of Songshan and the Bixia Dao. With a single command, they could summon followers from at least nine mountains. Naturally, he dared not be impolite, straightened his clothes, and said politely...

"I, Daoshanren, am setting up an array to slay demons and performing rituals to exorcise monsters, which has frightened my two senior sisters."

Jiang Youying glanced at Cang Ming, her bright eyes flashing; she felt an instant liking for this handsome young man.

"So you are the Seven Heroes of Emei. I have long admired your reputation, and it is indeed well-deserved."

Since they were from the orthodox Xuanmen sect, fellow practitioners, and were fighting for justice against demons, Ji Chongguang felt a sense of goodwill towards them and winked with a smile.
"Junior brother, do you need our sisters' help?"

Cangming thanked him,

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister. My Senior Brother has already set up the Microcosmic Array to trap and kill the demon within it. Within a few days, we will surely reduce it to ashes. I am also guarding outside. It is enough to handle the situation. I dare not delay the immortal opportunities of you two Senior Sisters."

Jiang Youying quickly said,

"We don't have any special affinity with immortals, we're just out for a stroll."

"Cough cough hmm!"

Ji Chongguang cleared his throat, glared at his anxious junior sister, and spoke softly.
"The world is in chaos now, with demons running rampant. Fortunately, righteous heroes like the Seven Heroes of Emei have stepped in to save the people."

Although my sister and I are still relatively new to the world, we are fortunate to be highly favored by our master and have been bestowed with countless protective treasures, which should come in handy.

"I am willing to do my best; please feel free to use my abilities, young hero."

Jiang Youying,
"Yes, yes, go ahead and order me around."

Cang Ming never expected to be entangled by these two idlers. Now that outsiders were present, how could he possibly peek at the battle within the formation? He could only manage a wry smile.

"That's perfect. Last night, my senior brother captured the Eastern Venerable of the Demonic Sect and took a group of Blood God Children, which he is currently refining and sealing away.

If you two have the time, please assist the Dharma protector in preventing any petty thieves from attacking or evil spirits from escaping.

Jiang Youying exclaimed in amazement.
"The Ten Supreme Masters! Venerable Master of the East! The Emei Pine, the number one in the world, truly lives up to his name! He is simply too amazing!"

Cangming scratched his head.

"Uh, no, Second Senior Brother is currently exorcising demons in the north. That Venerable One was subdued by Eldest Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, Ji Chongguang couldn't help but feel curious.

"I have long heard of the Seven Heroes of Emei, especially Daoist Cangsong, who is the most powerful. But I wonder who your sect's senior brother is? And who is more powerful, Daoist Cangsong or Daoist Cangsong?"

Cang Ming knew that the other person wasn't being rude; it was simply that his senior brother, Cang Bi, wasn't well-known. He patiently explained.
“Our Emei sect was originally a small, remote sect in the mountains, a hidden side sect. It was indeed not well-known. Our disciples either came with their own skills or were personally selected and instructed by our senior brothers. The entire sect was almost entirely built up by our eldest senior brother.”

Even our extraordinary abilities are the same; our eldest brother was taught by our master, and we were all taught by him. Therefore, if you ask me, it is naturally our eldest brother who is unfathomable and the most powerful.”

Upon hearing his words, not only was Youying astonished, but Chongguang was also shocked.

It should be noted that these seven individuals from Emei have recently risen to prominence with tremendous momentum, sweeping across the Central Plains undefeated in their efforts to subdue demons, eliminate evil, break calamities, and sever karmic ties. Even among the Nine Great Mystic Sects, ancient sects with histories spanning thousands of years, many of their most talented disciples have fallen to this group.

In a gossip-loving place like Yuntai Peak, everyone had naturally heard of this powerful force that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It's only recently that its prominence was overshadowed by that guy who committed suicide and killed his entire family.

However, before entering the Daoist path, Emei Cangsong was already the leader of the martial arts alliance and one of the strongest figures in the Jianghu. He entered the Dao through martial arts, and his Daoist methods were profound. It was only natural that he was skilled in fighting. Therefore, the attention of the people in the Xuanmen was involuntarily drawn to the topic of just how powerful Cangsong's punch was.

However, upon hearing the comments from their own Emei members, they surprisingly declared without the slightest hesitation that the eldest disciple was the most powerful. This was truly unexpected. Could it be that this eldest disciple genuinely possessed abilities surpassing even the pine tree?

That's a bit terrifying... The ancient pine is practically the best in the world, could it be that there really is a heaven beyond heaven...?

As they spoke, the three arrived in the city. In the distance, they saw only corpses scattered on the ground, a pool of blood, and a giant cauldron. The two Xuan Nu disciples were also astonished. Clearly, this was the first time they had seen such a horrific battlefield, and they trembled with fear. They used some kind of magical artifact to protect themselves with lightning, ready to escape at any moment.

Cang Ming could see that the two women were deathly pale; they clearly had never seen so many dead people before and weren't mentally prepared. Not wanting to stay and watch them humiliate themselves, he flew down ahead to greet them.
"Cangyun, two senior sisters are here to help. Don't stay cooped up by yourself. You won't find a Daoist partner like this. Come over and say hello; maybe you can even strike up a brief romance..."

Then Cang Ming was stunned, because he saw a 'senior sister' sitting in her junior brother's lap, laughing sweetly, her clothes becoming looser, her back bare, twisting like a molting water snake.

However, Cangyun remained expressionless, his sallow face fixed on the cauldron, seemingly single-minded and unwavering, dutifully fulfilling his duty, or perhaps having already transcended worldly desires...

"Ahem, Junior Brother Cangyun, may I ask who this gentleman is...?"

Since a guest had arrived behind them, Cang Ming could only awkwardly remind her. The senior sister turned around upon hearing this…

Huh? Why doesn't it have a face?

(End of this chapter)